C4 vs C5
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
C4 vs C5
What is your opinion on the purchase of a 70K mile 94 C4 or a 100K+ 98 (or newer) C5 for about $3K more? I've found several of each. Are there any pros or cons with either, or just a matter of taste?
Moderator Emeritus
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 46,133
Likes: 111
From: Maryville Tn
CI 5 thru 12 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '23
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I'd stick with the C4, if it's been maintained properly. The early C5's had some bugs, but I'm sure they've been corrected by 100K. It comes down to personal preference. Drive both and see what you like. Good luck with your purchase. 
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,770
Likes: 175
From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
Comes down to a matter of taste, and overall condition of each car.
A well maintained excellent condition '94 would be a better buy than a average high mileage '98.
But if both cars are in identical condition, the C5 should be the choice.
Bottom line:
Buy the best condition car you can afford.
You will be money ahead and much happier in the long run.
A well maintained excellent condition '94 would be a better buy than a average high mileage '98.
But if both cars are in identical condition, the C5 should be the choice.
Bottom line:
Buy the best condition car you can afford.
You will be money ahead and much happier in the long run.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,673
Likes: 750
From: NEwhere Ohio
Either one of the cars...you need to be prepared (garage, service books, tools, etc.) to do the work yourself.
If you dont, you will pay big bucks for some generic mechanic to do a sub-standard job that needs done again. It can be very frustrating.
Realy, its going to come down to personal preference and whether you want auto vs. stick.
I mention this because stick corvettes seem to be more 'rare' in the c4 world. So even if I liked c5, but wanted stick, and I found a rare stick c4 vs. an auto c5. I would go with the stick c4. Thats my personal preference.
Now....if you are all about mods. Go C5. Theres so much more cheaper, off-the-shelf go-fast kits and turnkey shops with great reps, like ECS , LPE, and A&A.
It doesnt mean you cant do the same thng on the C4. But you better better do your homework, know how to weld, fab some of your own parts, make friends with some of the C4 forum members who can make you parts, etc. You will probably spend more in the process.
If you dont, you will pay big bucks for some generic mechanic to do a sub-standard job that needs done again. It can be very frustrating.
Realy, its going to come down to personal preference and whether you want auto vs. stick.
I mention this because stick corvettes seem to be more 'rare' in the c4 world. So even if I liked c5, but wanted stick, and I found a rare stick c4 vs. an auto c5. I would go with the stick c4. Thats my personal preference.
Now....if you are all about mods. Go C5. Theres so much more cheaper, off-the-shelf go-fast kits and turnkey shops with great reps, like ECS , LPE, and A&A.
It doesnt mean you cant do the same thng on the C4. But you better better do your homework, know how to weld, fab some of your own parts, make friends with some of the C4 forum members who can make you parts, etc. You will probably spend more in the process.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Good thoughts, thanks. The C4 is at a dealership I know well and will let me take it home to check it out. The C5's I've found are over 100 miles away. I am hoping to sell my '66 Dodge to make room in the garage for it. While I can turn a wrench, there is a world of differece in tech from 66 to 94, no matter the vehicle. Mods would be modest as I'm buying it for cruising and overnight trips. My wife doesn't do sticks, so it will be an automatic (she doesn't ride with me on my motorcycle, so this is more for us as a couple). Again I appreciate your thoughts.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
Likes: 515
From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
Its your money; you are the one that needs to make the decision.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 15,049
Likes: 1,613
From: Holly Springs NC
St. Jude Donor '16-'17,'22,'24
You owe it to yourself to drive both models, then pursue the type you prefer. I went through a very similar decision about 1 1/2 years ago and elected to go with a higher priced C5, but after driving some C4s I could see why others would prefer it, especially the way the tires chirped just a tad coming out of a hard turn with the power on, really fun. I really wish I could afford both, but decided to go with one Vette and keep my marriage.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 189
Likes: 36
From: Austin, TX
I've owned both, and if it was just a few grand in difference, the extra horsepower and additional refinement of the C5 would win, not to mention that LS motors are bulletproof. That said, I have just as much fun in my C4, you really can't go wrong.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,052
Likes: 2,153
From: Schaller Iowa
If you're considering an earlier C5 I'd suggest spending time in both the C5 tech and general discussion parts of CF. From what I've gathered the earlier C5's...up to 2000 or 2001 I believe had quite a few issues and all of the manual transmissions have some design flaw concerning the throw out bearing seal that allows brake dust to somehow get into the clutch slave cylinder thereby necessitating you replace the fluid around every 2500 miles or so. If I'm not mistaken there's also an issue with the earlier computers (ECM or PCM maybe?) that can't be replaced if they go bad. I was looking at an '04 with 5K miles on it so I started doing my research mostly on CF and that's what I learned. Problems with the column lock were also present on a lot of the manual optioned cars.
astepup said that
astepup said that
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,426
Likes: 229
From: Pennsylvania
You should consider not spending the $3000.00 more for a 100,000 mile plus early C5. My opinion is you'll be sorry. They are nothing special and many seem to be reporting lots of problems with them as they are getting older. Parts and reliability especially. Stick with a C4. 
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 219
Likes: 1
From: Toronto Ontario
You should consider not spending the $3000.00 more for a 100,000 mile plus early C5. My opinion is you'll be sorry. They are nothing special and many seem to be reporting lots of problems with them as they are getting older. Parts and reliability especially. Stick with a C4.
drive it every day as the weather holds , putting it away in a few weeks.Total trust in it starting and driving anywhere.
I too, was thinking of selling it and buying eventually a high mileage C-5 stick 98-99-2000.A few thousand more.But I am driving a trouble free car and it came from the original one owner,afraid of getting stuck with a problem car.Nothing I detest more than constantly having mechanical problems and not enjoying it, so if it was me,I can;t fix anything, I'd take the C-4.
MZee
Racer
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 285
Likes: 3
From: Independence KY
I was in a similar situation here in the last couple of months. I wanted a reliable C4 or C5 as a weekend/recreational/general use car not necessarily a daily driver. I looked at many C4's and C5's, drove both, and ultimately decided to go with a C4 ZR-1. The reason for the ZR-1 was I happened across a great deal and jumped on it. The reason I was going to choose a C4 period was basically looks. I think the C4 has classic lines that I really like. The C5 just doesn't do it for me. It wasn't about HP or track prowess, truly it was asthetics. Depending on who you speak to you will hear good and bad about both. If I were you, ask the wife what car she would rather drive. Letting her be part of the decision will put you in her good graces.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,223
Likes: 556
From: Tallahassee fl
The C5 is a totally different beast than the C4.
The C4 you fit in snugly. It feels like a race car wrapped around you. The C5 feels like a cadillac. The C5 seems loaded with electrical gremlins. There are fixes for all of them, but be prepared to fix them. The C4 has its share of issues too but they seem easier to fix and less prone to get them in the first place.
IMO, 6 in one, half a dozen in the other. Buy what you like best.
I have owned both. Nothing beats the feel of the C4. The ride of the C5 is nice. My pick is... C5 auto convertible or C4 6 speed coupe. The C5 for cruisin' around and the C4 for tearing up the back roads.
The C4 you fit in snugly. It feels like a race car wrapped around you. The C5 feels like a cadillac. The C5 seems loaded with electrical gremlins. There are fixes for all of them, but be prepared to fix them. The C4 has its share of issues too but they seem easier to fix and less prone to get them in the first place.
IMO, 6 in one, half a dozen in the other. Buy what you like best.
I have owned both. Nothing beats the feel of the C4. The ride of the C5 is nice. My pick is... C5 auto convertible or C4 6 speed coupe. The C5 for cruisin' around and the C4 for tearing up the back roads.